Chapter 16: Chapter 16: System's Grudge

The days passed, and Elio immersed himself even deeper into his training regimen.

In addition to tirelessly practicing his throwing abilities, he also began to focus on improving his control over his magical abilities, something few... Or maybe none, saw as a good idea.

"Are you really going to waste your daily mana on that?" Kriz observed him skeptically as Elio spun the air in his palm in different directions, channeling his mana. "Buddy, at this rate you'll end up poorer than Brok."

Elio opened one eye and smiled. "You never know what you might need in the next chall... life's challenge. I prefer to be prepared."

"If you say so," Kriz shrugged and sat on the ground. "I guess your... work with the Summoner allows you to..."

♢♢♢♢

The next day, Brok and Ren joined in the taunting when they found Elio meditating in a cross-legged posture, water flowing around him with a soft blue aura.

"Hey, if you're going to start levitating any moment, at least warn us so we can tie you to something," Brok cracked, chuckling.

Ren shook his head in amusement. "Never thought I'd see you doing those weird rich people things, Elio. What's next, hiring some thugs and saying we're all trash?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Elio opened his eyes and let his mana dissipate. "For your information, I'm working on improving my mana control."

"Really?" Ren raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And how does that help you?"

Before Elio could respond, a deep voice spoke behind them. "Actually, greater mana control could be precisely what Elio needs."

They turned to find Von Lucien watching them with a slight smile. The Summoner approached and motioned for Elio to stand up.

"I've been reviewing your commission in more detail," Von Lucien began. "And I'm afraid throwing brooms won't help you much, magical spears have a particular form..."

Elio's eyes widened with concern. "What do you mean? I thought if I had 100% accuracy I'd have a good shot."

Von Lucien slowly shook his head. "Come to my office, I'll give you something to grab and some advice on how to use magic to improve your range."

Kriz, Brok, and Ren were left behind, not entirely understanding what they were talking about, though they had their suspicions...

Some thought it sounded weirdly like a challenge against the families, while others thought it was code for going to grab and lick something... it was left hanging who thought what.

♢♢♢♢

Elio emerged from Von Lucien's office with a steel lance and a renewed determination burning inside him.

The Summoner's advice had been invaluable, and now he felt more prepared than ever to master this crucial skill.

However, upon rounding a hallway, he came face-to-face with the last person he wanted to see:

Varick.

The young man was flanked by his usual thugs, and a mocking smile spread across his face upon seeing Elio.

"Well, well, look who we have here," Varick sneered, looking Elio up and down and noticing the level 3 lance. "The little filth is trying to learn how to throw?"

One of the thugs let out a derisive snicker. "Don't you know that's a pastime for families members? Someone like you could never master it. Where did you get 1000 mana points for that lance?"

Elio clenched his teeth, holding back his anger. After having endured it for so long, he no longer let Varick's taunts provoke him as easily.

"Anyway it's not about that, you know he has no chance against a fourth-level monster, and yet you push him towards it. That fool is Farbe's spawn and will die young just like him if you get him into this. E-even if I did bully him in my childhood, I at least never used the family to take it too far... Despite the damn guy humiliating me on several occasions... I'm an honorable knight."

"Elio isn't to blame for your father's mistakes either, and bullying the weak isn't honorable, nephew," Lucien continued softly. "He's a promising young man, with great potential if guided correctly."

"So then why do you want him to antagonize our family?" Varick sneered. "What's a nobody who couldn't even prevent his gear from being stolen for the first challenge going to do against the elders?"

Lucien gave a slight smile. "Don't play dumb, nephew, I know it was you who stole it, but I must thank you for doing so... That's precisely why I'm training him. Because despite that setback, he managed to overcome the challenge without any gear. That shows a determination and ingenuity worthy of cultivation. I need allies like him if I'm ever to change things."

Lucien fell silent for a moment, as if considering how much to say. Finally, he spoke in a grave voice. "Things aren't right in our system, Varick. Too many lives are being needlessly lost, and the elders are too blind to see it."

Varick frowned, though his expression softened slightly. "I suppose you have a point. At first it was annoying that the filth managed to beat the fire monster without weapons, I also didn't agree with you corroborating his information before the second challenge, it should only be for members of our family... But I'm as honorable as my father was, his bravery surprised me.

I thought after stealing his gear he'd wait a month to get more."

Lucien nodded. "Exactly. And if he can do that in the first challenge, I believe he has a chance to improve the strategy for the higher levels. Farbe's strategy that Elio confirmed for level 3 can help improve the probability of success and grow the numbers of level 3 antibreach squads."

Varick was silent for a moment, considering his uncle's words. Finally, he shook his head in resignation.

"Very well, uncle. I still don't entirely like the filth, but I suppose I can respect his courage." He flashed a mocking smile. "Though I still think it's a lost cause. There's no way he can overcome the fourth level without proper gear."

Lucien smiled enigmatically. "Don't underestimate people with few resources, nephew."

"I suppose it makes sense, I did underestimate the filth," he finally admitted. "But still, I think you're playing a dangerous game, uncle. If the elders find out what you're up to..."

Lucien nodded gravely. "I know, and that's why I need your absolute discretion in this matter. No one else can know what I'm scheming."

Varick hesitated, but finally nodded. "Alright, but you need a better excuse for the training... I'll keep your secret. But in exchange, I want you to help me overcome the third level challenge."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "But the family won't let you attempt it until you turn twenty, you know the protocol."

"I know," Varick responded. "But I don't plan to wait that long. The filth can't be a higher level than me, I'm ready to advance. You just need to advocate for me to bypass the safe age protocol."

Lucien studied him for a long moment, evaluating him. Finally, he gave a slight smile.

"Very well, nephew. I'll help expedite your third level challenge. But in exchange, you must promise to keep secret what I'm doing with Elio Elian. No interfering or telling anyone and... Another small thing."

Varick nodded without hesitation. "I promise. You have my word of honor."

Lucien smiled and extended his hand. "Then we have a deal."

Varick shook his uncle's hand, sealing the pact. Though he still had his doubts about what Lucien was scheming, he couldn't deny part of him was eager to surpass Elio and rub it in his face.

♢♢♢♢

A few months later, the sun was high in the sky as Elio made his way to the training grounds, the steel lance gripped firmly in his hand.

Despite its considerable weight and size, he wielded it as if it weighed no more than a twig.

Von Lucien had assured him this spear had the same shape and weight as the max level magical spears, making it the perfect practice tool.

Elio took position, his eyes squinting as he evaluated the targets scattered across the field. With a fluid motion, he raised the lance over his head, inhaled deeply and...

BOOM!

A small explosion of compressed oxygen in a small nickel container propelled the lance forward, flying like a deadly projectile. Elio tracked it with his gaze, smiling in satisfaction as it embedded itself cleanly in the center of the farthest target, the tip sinking deeply into the wood.